Christ Be Our Light

By John Michael Talbot

 Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has powâr to save us.
Make us your living voice.

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.

 Refrain
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

REV. ANNIE R. DUNCAN, TSP

Catch a Glimpse of the Light

Where did the time and the events go?  If you were following along with the theme of the Advent season at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which was: “The LIGHT of Bethlehem Still Shines!” you would notice that time has passed but the event still goes on in our hearts.  All that we have to do is catch a glimpse of the LIGHT.

If you are still groping in darkness due to fear anxieties, doubt, sadness and other despairs, then you have not allowed the true LIGHT of Bethlehem to keep shining in your life.

Have you ever thought about how much the imagery of light enters our daily conversation? We hear someone proclaim near the end of one of life’s dark times, “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!”  A person finally solves a problem after much struggle and announces, “I have seen the light.”

Preachers remind us that as Christians we are the light of the world. From childhood to the grave, we sing songs focusing on the theme of light: “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”  “Let the Lower lights be burning, Send a gleam across the wave.  ‘Send the light,’ There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save, send the light.”

The New Testament proclaims, especially in the Gospel of John, that the days of man’s spiritual darkness are over.  Jesus, the light of the world has come.

Among those who answered the call of Jesus was one named John, the beloved disciple.  It was some 60 years after Jesus had returned to heaven John wrote his account of the time spent with Jesus during Jesus’ earthly stay.

Both gospels-John’s and ours – will describe Jesus in the same way. In John 1:1-9 we read “In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out. God sent a man named John, who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith. John wasn’t that light. He came only to tell about the light. The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.”

Why is the image of light a popular one in describing who Jesus is and what He does?
LIGHT brightens everything it touches.

DARKNESS is dispelled by it.

Light is all-pervasive. It crowns mountaintops and finds a way into the valleys. Light  reveals , uncovering hidden paths, guiding a person home.

Notice also that the imagery of light is used in connection with certain individuals and groups of people songs, stories, etc. But whoever lives  by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God John

One of My Light Experiences:  Vienna Road in Vienna Township.  After attending a meeting at the home of one of the members of an organization I belong, I was instructed by the member’s husband that there was a shorter way home and I did not have to travel the main route all the way. It was night time and I wanted to hurry and get home.  I followed the route that was given me only to find out that this particular route was very dark and brought fear and an unwanted anxiety to my very being.  I prayed for light and eventually I caught a glimpse of the lights near the main highway and  I declared on that evening that the shortest way is to take the route of light and lessen the chance of fear and anxiety.

John wrote in John 1:1-10: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (the baptizer).  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”

When John wrote this gospel, the light of Jesus Christ was still shining, and it shines today through many of us.

******So this year, 2012, I want each of us to begin with just a glimpse of the light and begin to pursue the whole light. Eventually you will be singing that old song “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” which is a popular song and jazz standard, written by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, and Harry James, and published in 1944.  And not only will you be singing, but you will be living the LIGHT.

God’s Blessings to each of you for the year 2012

Rev. Annie R. Duncan, TSP

THE GREATNESS OF SMALL THINGS

Most of us seek greatness in various and  sometimes precarious ways.  While many of  us will not admit it, we still want to be successful at some of our endeavors,
if not all of them.  Knowing that life  can often take a twist in our pathway of seeking, we have not yet accepted the change  in our route.

Why is it that the common rule  for most of us is that greatness is acquired through quantity rather than quality?  The size of any particular accomplishment
often dictates what greatness to most of us is.  Please allow me to center my emphasis on the church universal.  Do we believe that God shows more favor to a
congregation that has a larger edifice, larger numbers of choirs, a larger  number of musical instruments, a larger number of classrooms, a chapel where a
second service might be held, or a larger number of attendance that requires at  least two Sunday morning services, and a sign that can be noticed a half a mile
away?  No, because in many instances it  is the existence of the above, in abundance, which often takes our focus off of  the true purpose of the church and who is to be worshiped.  There is little worship of God, His Son or  allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in the worship service.

Now, I am not saying this is true  of all large congregations, nor am I condemning then for their success.  However, it has been my experience that true
and profound greatness can be found in the smaller church.  God forbid that I would suggest that any  church should strive to be small to gain the favor of God or to attain greatness  in His sight.  Even though there are some  congregations who choose to remain small for the wrong reason and God would  love to broaden their horizons.  We need  to know that God does not judge us by quantity, but by quality through our  service in faithfulness to Him our Father, to His Son, our brother and allowing  the Holy Spirit to lead us.

If one were to take a peek at the  congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Davison, MI,  immediately we would be categorized as a small church.  However, if one was to explore, make a closer  investigation and take a second look at St. Andrew’s, I am sure that they would  find one great congregation functioning at 8192 Davison Road in Davison, MI.  I am making this statement with love and  admiration as I have shared with this community of people for the past 10½  months and have been their Spiritual leader and observed them as they have wrestled with some very devastating obstacles.  I  have further watched as they have continued with the Bible Studies, prayer  services, singing and bell choirs, a mission program that has an ongoing  service and never takes a break, the outreach to the community is  unsurpassable.  The mission support to  foreign fields, to include our troops and the local community, is superlative.  The quilters and the knitters have a  gathering of devoted and spiritual women.   Overall, the session members carry out their duties as responsible  leaders without having to be prodded.

The business office, which is  headed by the secretary, runs with great efficiency and the secretary is very  proficient in every area.  The Music  Director requires no assistance in his preparation of music except for members  to show up and participate.  The Music  Director is superb and well disciplined in all facets of his work, and this is  displayed with great inspiration every Sunday morning at St. Andrew’s.

Experience has taught me that  greatness does not mean you have the most, but you do the most with what you  have.

All of the aforementioned is a  testimony of thanks for the greatness God has promised to me, and to indicate how proud I am to be a  part of and share in the Greatness of Small Things as the Temporary Supply Pastor of St. Andrew’s.

Admirably submitted,

Rev. Annie

____________________________________________________

The past has never really been a problem for me, except that it sure flew by quickly!  Rev. Annie and I were recently talking and I commented that, even though there were some things I could or should have done differently, I didn’t really have any horrifying regrets about my life.

The future, well, that has taken on a new dimension.  As is the case with at least a few of you, I have done my share of worrying through the years.  I once read that 75% of the things we worry about, and even make ourselves sick over, never come about.  At times, I wasted considerable energy on worry!  When I had my ICD (Pacemaker) implanted about two years ago, I spent 4 ½ hours totally knocked out.  Something happened to me subconsciously, during that time that totally changed my outlook on life.  For many months afterwards, my wife and close friends would ask me, “Are you okay?”  You see there were so many things that just didn’t matter anymore.  Through the miracle of medical technology, I had a new lease on life.  My heart is locked on cruise control at 60 beats per minute. All of a sudden, the present has a whole new value, because I have time available to appreciate it!  I’m slow, but I’m steady!

One of our Music Ministries members says today is called the present because it is a gift.  Wow!  How true!  The present, ToNow is all I have and it is a wonderful gift from God.  I love a new day, because it is a new blank check (or Debit Card!).  To spend the Gift wisely, I need to prepare for tomorrow, but let it have its own page in the planner.

Several times lately, I’ve had people mention the old gospel hymn “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”.  I found it in one of my hymnbooks and include it here for your reading pleasure.  Again, it is presented as poetic verse, so that you may clip’n’save, as desired for easy reference.

 I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Ira F. Stanphill

 (1) I don’t know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day;

I don’t borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry o’er the future,

For I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

 (2) I don’t know about tomorrow,

It may bring me poverty;

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion,

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me,

And I’m covered with His blood.

 (Refrain) Many things about tomorrow

I don’t seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand.

 ©1950 by Singspiration, Inc.

 In closing, I say a huge “Thank You” to the congregation and many individuals that helped make the Lobban’s Christmas the special time that it was this year.  Things were very busy here at church for all of us, but you took the time to be gracious and generous in various ways.  Christmas 2011 was a relatively “calm” time for us at home and we enjoyed many seasonal services, celebrating with friends and family, sharing, and even having time left over to rejuvenate a little bit.  You all helped us make that happen – Thank You!

 Remember, since we know He holds tomorrow, we can truly live ToNow!

 Blessings …Merle

A few months ago my wife came home from a shopping trip with an Amaryllis plant for me.  You no doubt have seen these little kits that “anybody” can use to grow a plant. Now I admit that I have never done well with the Gia Pet plants, especially the one that is supposed to look like a head of hair – go figure!  She knows that I love to grow things and watch them progress through the various stages of becoming what the picture shows on the package.  When I was teaching music a few years ago one of my students gave me an Amaryllis that was already budding out, so I really can’t say I raised it from a bulb.  However, this time I was in charge of this plant’s destiny, and looking forward to the adventure!

In November, I took it from the box following directions to the letter.  Planted it in the “special soil”, watered it by the calendar, kept it in the proper light – it worked!  From day 1, everything happened just as the box cover said it should. Christmas Eve we woke up to the fourth bloom on the plant.  This plant is a display of God’s creation and artwork – all from a bulb.  I love it!  I can’t wait until spring, so that I can get back outside and into the dirt.  This year, I think the munchkins need to see a pumpkin vine go through its stages – don’t you?

Okay, so what’s in this Amaryllis plant for me to learn?  Well – for two-months now I haven’t been able to get the Hymn of Promise out of my head.  At St. Andrew’s, we are more familiar with the hymn title, In The Bulb There Is a Flower.  Are you with me?

I am well aware that some of our congregation are touched by the words of this hymn differently than others.  In the context of this writing, I submit to you that it is a song of tremendous Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  We heard those words frequently during the Advent services, didn’t we?  I anticipate using it as a hymn selection early in January, because of the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, that 2012 holds for us.

I certainly am not aware of all the issues that weigh heavily on many of you.  But, please know that I am aware of many of them, because I have heard your requests and prayers in various gatherings.  We are a congregation that thrives on God’s response to our prayers.  Just as with a blooming flower, we are often amazed and blessed by God’s responses.  He is faithful to His promises in the Word.  As encouragement for entering 2012 with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love at the forefront, I offer the following words to the Hymn of Promise.  It is presented here as poetic verse, so that you may clip’n’save, as desired for easy reference.

 Hymn of Promise

Natalie Sleeth

In the bulb there is a flower;

In the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise:

Butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

There’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season,

Something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence,

Seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness,

Bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

What it holds, a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season,

Something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning;

In our time, infinity,

In our doubt there is believing;

In our life, eternity.

In our death a resurrection;

At the last, a victory.

Unrevealed until its season,

Something God alone can see.

©1986 by Hope Publishing Co.

   Sharing His Gift of Hope,

Merle

Musically Speaking … Sometimes …
“Meatloaf”!            December 2011

You know what?  Sometimes you just “gotta
have meatloaf!”  I was in the Air Force
during the Vietnam Era.  Due to the
training I had to complete, my tech school schedule was unusually long after basic.  Then, even though I was assigned stateside, I
didn’t get home for over a year once I actually started “doing my job” well
into my second year of active duty.  Our
mission directly supported fighter pilots being trained for Vietnam conflict.  As luck would have it, my first “real leave”
was over the Christmas Holidays and I was ready!  My Mom asked what I’d like for Christmas
Dinner – my choice!  I requested meatloaf
– I actually did!  She could not believe
her ears!  Now please understand that I
have been blessed with three wonderful cooks in my life – namely, my Mom, my
Mother-in-law, and my Wife.  They all
have their own twist on meatloaf, but there’s one thing that has remained consistent
through the years – I always feel “at home” when they prepare meatloaf.  By the way, Linda has perfected it, in my
opinion!  When I have eaten meatloaf
prepared by these gals everything stops or neutralizes.  Nothing matters, for at least a brief period
of time – it’s just plain feelin’ good food!